MacBook

According to Apple, the launch of the new MacBook means that its range of Intel-based laptops is now complete. You’ve got the MacBook Pro for the professional market and the bog-standard MacBook for home users. Except that it’s not quite that easy. The problem is that the MacBook is actually a really nice machine, and in many ways we think it’s just as good as the MacBook Pro.

The key issue here is that all three versions use the same Core Duo processor as the MacBook Pro. The cheapest MacBook option is the £749 model, which runs at 1.83GHz. However, our test unit was the £899 model, which runs at 2.0GHz. The MacBook Pro goes up to 2.16GHz, but that’s hardly a major advantage. So if you’re making a choice between a MacBook or a MacBook Pro, you’ll need to take features into account.

Both MacBook models are housed in a shiny white case, and equipped with 512MB RAM and 60GB hard disk, along with standard Apple features such as FireWire, wireless networking and a built-in webcam. The £749 model only has a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, while the £899 model has a dual-layer DVD burner. There’s also a ‘special edition’ MacBook designed in matte black. It looks great, but it costs £1,029 and the only technical difference is its 80GB hard disk.

Up to this point, the 2.0GHz white MacBook can match the MacBook Pro feature for feature. However, there are a few important differences. The most obvious is the screen size. The MacBooks only offer a 13.3-inch screen, compared to the 15 and 17-inch screens of the two MacBook Pro models.

However, the new glossy coating on the MacBook screen might be a problem. Some designers find that glossy screens can affect colour fidelity. Apple insists that care has been taken to eliminate this problem, but if colour reproduction is important then you might want to stick with the more traditional screen of the MacBook Pro.

The other difference is that the MacBook uses a low-cost Intel graphics processor. This performs perfectly well for ordinary 2D graphics and video work, but it’s not much use for 3D graphics work. The ATI Radeon Mobility X1600 in the MacBook Pro is much faster for 3D graphics. If your work involves 3D graphics or heavy-duty video processing then the MacBook Pro is definitely the best choice.

However, for ordinary graphics, digital photography or audio work the MacBook is perfectly adequate – especially if you’re using Universal software such as GarageBand, although heavy users of Photoshop are better sticking with old PowerBooks until the Universal version comes along. Some people will definitely need the larger screen or the stronger 3D graphics of the MacBook Pro, but for many creative users the MacBook will provide excellent performance at a very competitive price.